AROUND THE USA

Washington, D.C., is a capital place
to visit

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MetroRail Overview Here's something about which we are unambiguously enthusiastic: MetroRail ... or simply Metro, as it's known locally. We've ridden rapid transit in Boston, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco ... and Washington's Metro system is the best! Metro is easy, cheap, convenient and safe. Metro is especially useful inside the District, where there are stations nearly anywhere you'd want to go (major exception: Georgetown).

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From a safety standpoint, we have no qualms about riding Metro at any hour of the day, any day of the week. Metro handles routine crowds .... well, routinely. Huge events -- Inauguration Day and the Fourth of July -- will swamp the system, especially the parking lots in the suburbs. But the roads will likely be jammed, too. That's Washington.

Best Attractions

Despite living in Washington for nearly four years, returning frequently since then and making a concerted effort to see the sites while we had a chance, we feel we've barely scratched the surface on capital-area attractions.

Perhaps to help you set your priorities, we these lists:

Our Favorite Major Attractions

• Lincoln Memorial -- Maybe our feelings are magnified by our Southern heritage, but to stand at Lincoln's feet, read his inspiring words and consider his magnificent deeds is to appreciate the power of one person armed with conviction and morality. It's awesome.
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial -- The Wall is emotionally moving in an indescribable way. It is thought provoking beyond any statue of soldiers in battle.
• The White House -- Contact your senator or representative well in advance for tickets to the morning VIP tour. You see more and learn more.
• Museum of American History -- Of the several wonderful museums of the Smithsonian Institution, this one does the most to help one appreciate our cultural, economic and political history.
• National Air and Space Museum
• Mount Vernon
• National Zoo
• Gettysburg -- Regardless of whether the South could have ever won, its Civil War hopes peaked at this Pennsylvania farm town. Standing at the rock wall and gazing across the field to the starting point of Pickett's Charge, one realizes the futility of the mission that day and appreciates the raw courage of those who virtually committed suicide for their beliefs. It's a couple of hours from Washington, but if you have time it provides a dramatic appreciation for the history that occurred there. Be sure to see the Electric Map at the Visitors' Center.
• Manassas -- Another nearby and pivotal Civil War battlefield.

Overrated

• View from atop the Washington Monument

Our Favorite Unheralded Attractions

• National Building Museum -- Built after the Civil War, originally as the Pension Building, it's now a fascinating examination of construction and design. Perhaps the most creative special exhibitions of any Washington museum. Best gift shop in Washington.
• Cocktails atop the Hotel Washington -- Outdoor cocktail lounge overlooks The White House, the South Lawn and the Treasury Building.

Shopping

Washington has its share of typical suburban shopping malls. Tyson's Corner was once the largest mall in the nation. Especially noteworthy are: Pentagon City is right on Metro in Northern Virginia (not far from D.C.) and it's much better than the typical suburban mall. Its convenience cannot be overemphasized. The Shops at Georgetown Park is an upscale mall in the heart of Georgetown. Potomac Mills (about 20 miles south of the District on Interstate 95) is a huge discount mall.

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Recommended Restaurants

Regular travel guides have more timely and authoritative information than we can organize about hours, addresses, attire, etc. So we'll list restaurants we believe you can depend upon for good food and service.

Northern Virginia The primary pockets of good restaurants are in Old Town Alexandria and in western Fairfax County.	Incredibly upscale	L'Auberge Chez Francois near Great Falls (reserve months in advance; seriously)
	Middle of the Road	Carlyle Grand Cafe in Shirlington -- Innovative cuisine; art deco setting Savio's in Alexandria -- Our neighborhood Italian place when we lived there; very good. Geranio Ristorante in Alexandria -- Italian South Austin Grill in Alexandria -- TexMex; sister to Austin Grill in D.C. Mike's American Grill in Springfield
	Very Casual	Generous George's Positive Pizza & Pasta Palace
	Historic	Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria -- Colonial fare

Other Links

• Yahoo! Weather Forecast for Washington, D.C.
• Amtrak serves Washington from many directions.